Caligula facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Caligula
Emperor of the Roman Empire
Bust of Caligula
Reign 16 March, AD 37 –
24 January, AD 41
Predecessor Tiberius
Successor Claudius
Spouse 1) Junia Claudilla, 33–34
2) Livia Orestilla, 37 or 38
3) Lollia Paulina, 38
4) Milonia Caesonia, ?–41
Issue
Julia Drusilla
Tiberius Gemellus (adoptive)
Full name
Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus
(from birth to accession);
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (as emperor)
Father Germanicus
Mother Agrippina the Elder
Born 31 August 12
Antium, Roman Empire
Died 24 January 41(41-01-24) (aged 28)
Palatine, Rome, Roman Empire
Burial Rome, Italy

Caligula (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 31 August 12 – 24 January 41), was the third Roman Emperor. He reigned from AD 37. After only four years, he was assassinated by members of his bodyguard and the Roman Senate. During his reign, many innocent people were killed without fair trials. Even with all that, he was popular with the Roman public in his time.

Images for kids

  • Caligae from side

    A caliga.

  • Cropped color calligula

    A marble bust of Caligula restored to its original colours. The colours were identified from particles trapped in the marble.

  • Head Drusilla Glyptothek Munich 316

    Julia Drusilla, sister of Caligula

  • Eustache Le Sueur - Caligula Depositing the Ashes of his Mother and Brother in the Tomb of his Ancestors - WGA12607

    Caligula Depositing the Ashes of his Mother and Brother in the Tomb of his Ancestors, by Eustache Le Sueur, 1647

  • Denarius of Gaius (YORYM 2000 1956) obverse

    A denarius of Gaius Caligula

  • Vatican obelisk

    The Vatican Obelisk was first brought from Egypt to Rome by Caligula. It was the centerpiece of a large racetrack he built.

  • Nemi Ship Hull 1930

    The hull of one of two ships recovered from Lake Nemi during the 1930s. This massive vessel served as an elaborate floating palace to the Emperor.

  • RomaForoRomanoTempioCastori

    Ruins of the temple of Castor and Pollux in the Forum Romanum. Ancient resources as well as recent archaeological evidence suggest that, at one point, Caligula had the palace extended to annex this structure.

  • Caligula sestertius RIC 33 680999

    Roman sestertius depicting Caligula, c. AD 38. The reverse shows Caligula's three sisters, Agrippina, Drusilla and Julia Livilla.

  • Caligula und Roma Kameo KHM IXa 59

    Cameo depicting Caligula and a personification of Rome

  • CaligulaPallazzoMassimoRoma

    Portrait of Caligula from Palazzo Massimo in Rome

  • Cor-aabr001903

    Fanciful renaissance depiction of Caligula

  • RIC 0039

    Quadrans celebrating the abolition of a tax in AD 38 by Caligula. The obverse of the coin contains a picture of a Pileus which symbolizes the liberation of the people from the tax burden.

  • Roman gold coins excavated in Pudukottai India one coin of Caligula 31 41 and two coins of Nero 54 68

    Roman gold coins excavated in Pudukottai, India, examples of Indo-Roman trade during the period. One coin of Caligula (AD 37–41), and two coins of Nero (AD 54–68). British Museum.


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Caligula Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.